« Cat Crags : Crookrise »
Home » Crags » Clattering Stones

Clattering Stones is a fine collection of boulders high above the west end of Widdop reservoir in Calderdale. There is a variety of climbing styles, from rounded problems to technical walls, all set amidst magnificent scenery. The landings are generally good and the problems not too high. The larger buttresses to the west, called "The Drums" in the YMC guide, also offer good climbing and some highball bouldering, but are not described here.

Topo The Climbing

Topo Expand Love Handles

The first boulder, lowest down the hillside, has a clean wall facing the road.

Topo Expand Chronic Fatigue

Further up the hillside and closer is a boulder with a big, easy angled slab.

Topo Expand Morning Sickness

Further up this bigger boulder is fairly obvious. Not the best climbing in the area, apart from Morning Sickness which is a classic.
Fern Crack (3), Clattering Stones
Fern Crack 3 (V0-)   1 photo 1 0 comments 0 0 votes 0
The easy crackline comes complete with a fern.
Morning Sickness (6b), Clattering Stones
Morning Sickness 6b (V4)   3 photos 3 video 1 12 comments 12 1 vote 1
The vague scoop left of the arete. Start on the ledge, rockover and dyno for the top. Superb!

Topo Expand Two Blue Lines

Just uphill from the Morning Sickness boulder this block has a clean slab facing across the valley.
Two Blue Lines (5), Clattering Stones
Two Blue Lines 5 (V1)   2 photos 2 3 comments 3 0 votes 0
The right side of the slab via a big flake. Excellent.

Topo Expand Clatterjack Wall

Further up the hillside again, and further away from the Drums, is this excellent boulder, easily recognised by the perched block on top. The obvious smooth wall has some superb technical problems.
Clatterjack Toad (5), Clattering Stones
Clatterjack Toad 5 (V1)   1 photo 1 1 comment 1 0 votes 0
The sharp arete.
Clatterjack Pencil (5+), Clattering Stones
Clatterjack Pencil 5+ (V2)   1 photo 1 3 comments 3 2 votes 2
The thin crack is excellent.
Fontanelles (7a), Clattering Stones
Fontanelles 7a (V6)   1 photo 1 5 comments 5 2 votes 2
The thin flakes further right. Reachy and fingery.
The Uprising (7b+), Clattering Stones
The Uprising 7b+ (V8/9)   1 photo 1 4 comments 4 1 vote 1
The impressive blank arete.
Zygote (4), Clattering Stones
Zygote 4 (V0)   1 photo 1 0 comments 0 0 votes 0
The obvious crack in the centre of the vertical face on the back of the boulder.

Topo Expand Low Roof

Directly up the hill from the previous boulder. Both these problems need cleaning.

Topo Expand Traverse Boulder

At the same level as Chronic Fatigue but closer to the Drums is this boulder with an obvious lip traverse.